📋Overview
Familial emphysema is a legacy term often used to describe emphysema occurring in multiple family members, typically linked to inherited causes. The most recognized modern term related to familial emphysema is alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency-related emphysema, a genetic disorder leading to early-onset emphysema due to deficient or dysfunctional alpha-1 antitrypsin protein. Emphysema itself is a chronic lung condition characterized by destruction of alveolar walls and airspace enlargement, causing airflow limitation.
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